The 2024 season has been a rollercoaster for the Michigan Wolverines, with inconsistent performances and below-par showings leaving the fan base searching for answers. Nowhere has the struggle been more evident than at the quarterback position, where Michigan’s lack of production has led to an outcry for change. As Michigan fans grow impatient, calls for a strong offseason move to secure an elite quarterback have grown louder, and recruiting insiders suggest there may be hope on the horizon.
Michigan insider Sam Webb recently reported that Michigan is on the brink of one of its best recruiting runs in recent history. Such a claim brings excitement but also pressure, especially given Michigan’s recent recruiting struggles, which have seen numerous high-profile recruits slip through its grasp. And while Michigan has managed to secure commitments from notable players, like five-star offensive tackle Andrew Babalola, Webb’s prediction won’t feel complete without the marquee commitment of a top quarterback. That’s where Bryce Underwood comes into the picture.
Standing 6’3 and weighing 205 pounds, Bryce Underwood is a five-star prospect and the top quarterback in the 2025 recruiting class. In fact, he’s widely regarded as the top overall player in the nation. Playing quarterback for Belleville High School in Michigan, Underwood initially seemed like a perfect fit for the Wolverines. He was heavily recruited by Michigan wide receiver coach Ronald Bellamy and offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell, creating hope that Michigan would land him. However, Underwood shocked the Michigan faithful by committing to LSU on January 6, 2024. His choice was perceived by many as another painful chapter in Michigan’s history of losing high-profile recruits, especially to lucrative NIL deals offered by other programs.
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The disappointment only added to Michigan’s recruiting woes, yet Underwood’s commitment to LSU wasn’t necessarily the end of the story. As Michigan’s quarterback struggles have escalated, so has the urgency around securing a player of Underwood’s caliber. The fan base has been vocal, and some prominent alumni have stepped in to help. Dave Portnoy, president of Barstool Sports and a well-known Michigan fan, publicly pledged $3 million of his own money to help Michigan land a top quarterback. This sparked even more momentum, and reports now suggest that a $5 million NIL package has been offered to Underwood in hopes of flipping his commitment to Michigan. It’s believed this sum is comparable to what LSU is offering, putting Michigan in a strong position to make a late push.
Last week, Underwood visited Michigan for their home game against Oregon. While the Wolverines came up short on the field, losing the game, Michigan’s recruitment efforts seem to have gained traction. Underwood will visit LSU this weekend, and many expect it to be a decisive trip. But Michigan’s efforts are clearly not going unnoticed, and there’s real momentum that a flip could be on the horizon.
"Circumstances have changed and we think the best option moving forward is to open his recruitment up"
— "EJ Holland" (@EJHollandOn3) October 31, 2024
On300 QB Carter Smith has decommitted from Michigan. His father, Dan, gives a statement here (FREE)... https://t.co/9jK1W5UT7i pic.twitter.com/FY8415UPWk
Adding more intrigue to the situation, Michigan recently lost its 2025 quarterback commit, Carter Smith. Smith had been firmly committed to the Wolverines, yet his departure raises questions. Did Michigan’s intense focus on Underwood leave Smith feeling undervalued? Or, conversely, did Michigan’s staff hint that Underwood might be coming, prompting Smith to look elsewhere? If Michigan ultimately fails to land Underwood after losing Smith, it would be seen as a major recruiting blunder for head coach Sharon Moore and his staff.
And as if the situation couldn’t get more complicated, another option has entered the mix. USC quarterback Miller Moss announced his entry into the transfer portal, and it’s reported that Michigan is his top choice for a new home. If Michigan were to secure Moss, it would likely diminish their chances of landing Underwood. Some believe this indicates that a deal may already be in the works with Moss, meaning Michigan could potentially shift its focus away from Underwood. While Moss is a talented quarterback with solid experience, he doesn’t carry the elite, top-tier potential that Underwood does, and for many Michigan fans, anything less than Underwood would feel like a letdown.
With Michigan at a crucial recruiting crossroads, securing Bryce Underwood would be a game-changing move, one that could validate Sam Webb’s prediction and make up for the program’s recent recruiting frustrations. But without a marquee quarterback signing, Michigan’s recruiting resurgence could fall short of its potential. For Michigan, it’s all eyes on Underwood as he heads to LSU this weekend, where the Tigers may get the final say in his recruitment. Regardless of the outcome, one thing is clear: Michigan needs to put its NIL resources to use and secure a high-powered quarterback, whether it’s Underwood or another top target.
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